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Ramirez, Ross lead Marlins over Orioles 5-2

Jun 25, 2009 - 3:33 AM MIAMI(AP) -- Ricky Nolasco's two-week stint in the minors appears to have helped him regain his 2008 form.

Hanley Ramirez and Cody Ross both drove in two runs and Nolasco had his fourth straight strong outing since being recalled from the minors as Florida beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Wednesday night, the Marlins' fourth straight victory.

Ross had three hits, including two doubles, and Emilio Bonifacio and Dan Uggla both scored twice for Florida (37-36), which moved above .500 for the first time since May 12.

Nolasco (4-6) allowed two unearned runs and seven hits in seven innings. It was his fourth consecutive start surrendering two earned runs or less since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on June 7.

"We're seeing the Nolasco we saw last year," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Nolasco was 2-5 with a 9.07 ERA when he was optioned on May 23. That was after he went 15-8 with a 3.52 ERA last season.

"This is completely different than what was going on early in the season," Nolasco said. "This could have happened easily for me at the beginning of the year but there were a lot things that didn't go my way at the same time."

Dan Meyer pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first career save. Earlier Wednesday, the Marlins put closer Matt Lindstrom on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow.

"I've started in my career. I've set up. I've come in in the fifth. And that ninth inning is different, no matter how you shake it," Meyer said.

Melvin Mora had two hits and an RBI for Baltimore, which lost for the second straight night following a five-game winning streak.

Jason Berken (1-4) gave up three runs - two earned - and four hits in five innings. He walked two, struck out three and hasn't won in five starts since being victorious in his major league debut May 26.

Bonifacio's throwing error let Baltimore score two unearned runs in the sixth to pull within 3-2. Florida added an unearned run in the seventh and Ross had an RBI single in the eighth to make it 5-2.

The Marlins' run in the seventh was all due to Bonifacio, who beat out an infield hit, stole second and scored when catcher Matt Wieters' throw went into right center. Center fielder Felix Pie was slow in getting to the ball before tossing it to second baseman Brian Roberts, who threw home too late to get a sliding Bonifacio.

"Thats not what its all about here and what the majority of guys here are all about. It happens, its unfortunate, but its not acceptable. Its just that simple," manager Dave Trembley said of Pie's mental error.

"I have to throw the ball but I have to make a decision to throw to either home plate or second base. I threw to second base. Thats a mistake, thats my fault," Pie said.

Ramirez made it 2-0 in the first with a two-run single and Florida went ahead 3-0 in the fourth on an RBI double by Ross.

"It took me a little while to get settled in, but any time you give up runs in the first inning it's tough to come back," Berken said.

Notes: Lindstrom will be not be allowed to throw for at least four weeks. The Marlins recalled RHP Chris Leroux from Double-A Jacksonville to take Lindstrom's roster spot. ... Baltimore acquired Triple-A 1B Michael Aubry from Cleveland for a player to named. ... Orioles RHP Koji Uehara could miss his next scheduled start with elbow fatigue. No tests were scheduled for Uehara, who asked to be taken out of Tuesday night's game after six innings. He said Wednesday he hadn't noticed much improvement. ... Florida's winning streak is its longest since winning seven straight April 12-19. ... Orioles RF Nick Markakis got his eighth outfield assist when he threw out Jeremy Hermida at the plate in the sixth.